From the office of Congressman Maurice Hinchey
TSEC and Local Officials Announce Single Largest Job Creation in TSEC History

Lake Katrine, NY — In the single largest jobs expansion in the history of The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC), Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Ulster County Executive Mike Hein, TSEC President and CEO Vincent Cozzolino and Alan Ginsberg of Tech City today announced that TSEC partner Precision Flow Technologies is creating 190 new jobs at Tech City.

Since 2007, Hinchey has secured $8.4 million in federal funding for Precision Flow and its customer C9 Corporation, which allowed the company to grow its operations in Saugerties, NY and now expand at Tech City. An additional 31 construction jobs will be created for a period of 26 weeks as the company undergoes a $1.2 million upgrade of their Tech City facilities.

“Over the last three years, I’ve secured over $31 million in federal funds for The Solar Energy Consortium and its partner companies in New York,” said Hinchey. “As a result of these investments and the efforts of TSEC, more than 15 solar companies, ranging from manufacturers, installers and tooling companies now call the Hudson Valley home. These new jobs with Precision Flow are a testament to the company’s employees, and I applaud Kevin Brady and his team for what they have accomplished. With the creation of 190 new jobs at Precision Flow, the Hudson Valley is well on its way to becoming a major leader in growing solar energy sector.”

The funding Hinchey secured on behalf of Precision Flow and C9, a company based in Malta, New York, is being used to advance energy technologies with the Defense Department that will enhance utilization of solar arrays, hybrid electric vehicles, and other energy efficient applications. To meet their customers growing needs, Precision Flow is in the process of adding 190 positions to the payroll. These jobs are primarily in manufacturing, but also include engineers, management and administrative positions.

“TSEC is proud to have Precision Flow Technologies as one of its key partners and will continue to work with their management team as they continue to grow their businesses by providing innovative solar related products and equipment,” said Cozzolino. “We are ecstatic by their job growth in this down economy. As PFT has grown, they have provided business opportunities to several other TSEC partner companies, creating jobs elsewhere in our region. Precision Flow is clearly an example of what our TSEC solar industry cluster is all about.”

Less than six weeks ago, Hinchey made another major announcement when Solartech Renewables decided to relocate its operations to Tech City and create 100 new jobs within one year. Solartech Renewables’ move to Tech City was made possible due to a variety of funding sources, including federal money Hinchey personally obtained from Congress and various sources of state funding, as well as extensive assistance from TSEC.

“What we are seeing is the Tech City comeback,” said Hinchey. “As more and more companies locate their operations here, it will drive others to do the same, creating even more jobs for the people of Ulster County. The Hudson Valley is rapidly becoming a hub for solar energy, with TSEC and Tech City leading the way. This is the culmination of more than three years of hard work, coordination and substantial federal investments that I have helped secure. I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished and will continue working to expand TSEC and create jobs at Tech City.”

The expansion of Precision Flow Technologies, Solartech Renewables and the location of several other companies at Tech City has allowed the site once vacated by IBM to bounce back as a hub for solar energy technology. TSEC focused considerable effort on creating a cluster of clean energy companies at Tech City, spurring renewed interest in the property. As a result, companies, like Imagetech, Farm to Table and Parts Search have located on site in the last three years. Today, over 60 percent of the facilities are now leased — a figure that is expected to rise to 70 percent by the end of this year. More than 250 new jobs were created with TSEC partners in the Hudson Valley in 2009 and another 400 new jobs are being created this year.

“My administration is proud to work with Congressman Hinchey and the management team at Tech City,” said Hein. “I want to compliment them on their efforts to develop and implement a visionary master plan for the former IBM site. This will result in hundreds of new jobs and millions in private sector investment, and it is a great example of the public and private sector working together to overcome challenges and create a strong and sustainable economic future for our community. Ulster County is also fortunate to have a business like Precision Flow Technology and an owner like Kevin Brady so committed to continued growth right here.”

“TechCity is now the home of a critical mass of tenants that have clearly made this property a focal point for those efforts,” said Ginsberg. “We believe we are the only location that combines immediately available space, superb existing infrastructure that tenants can access without large capital expenditures, ample land that is shovel ready for new development, and a master plan that is already progressing.”

TSEC is an industry-driven, non-profit organization that provides leadership, organization, resources, and support for the establishment of a major solar energy industry cluster in New York. Hinchey helped establish TSEC in 2007 and has secured more than $31 million in federal funding for the consortium and its partners to establish a solar industry research and manufacturing cluster in the New York Hudson Valley region.

Dutch guests and Hudson Valley enthusiasts met October 8 – 11 for a deep dive into the potential for ongoing collaboration to build more sustainable, innovative, and multi-cultural economies in our two regions, as the ultimate legacy of a Quadricentennial year focused on “exploration and innovation.”

The Next Economy: Multi-Cultural, Innovative and Green was born when Jolanda Jansen of the Hudson Valley Smart Growth Alliance, Melissa Everett of Sustainable Hudson Valley, and former Poughkeepsie Mayor Nancy Cozean visited the Consulate of the Netherlands in New York and were introduced to management consultants Roel Geuzinge and Thea Groeneveld. Each group had envisioned a conference addressing emerging issues and shared lessons – from the Dutch side, how to deal with cultural and ethnic tensions as the traditionally homogeneous society of the Netherlands opens up to immigration and population growth; from the US side, how to develop a more systematic and energetic approach to mainstreaming green technologies in energy, water, and materials management so that economic vitality and environmental sustainability can be truly linked at a regional scale. Funding from the Consulate and the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial generously supported the events.Held in Poughkeepsie the weekend after the opening of the Walkway Over the Hudson, the event allowed for visits to the Walkway, a local theatre performance, a tour of the energy-efficient fire station in the City, a symposium, and free-ranging conversation. Expertise on multi-cultural community and economic development was convened from Sustainable Hudson Valley’s network through the participation of Enrique Rob Lunski, Ph.D., President of the Poughkeepsie-based Gateway to Entrepreneurial Tomorrows; Robert Wright, president of Nubian Directions; Susan Jones, J.D. of the Jacob Burns Community Development Clinic at George Washington University School of Law; educational consultant Ande Diaz, who fosters global citizenship on New England campuses using a “sustained dialogue” model; and actor/writer Candi Sterling, a voice of recent university graduates who hunger for meaningful work that strengthens their communities. Expertise on green technology came from the Cartesius Institute in the province of Freyslan, which has demonstrated large scale marketing of green innovations with such campaigns as the Hundred Thousand Electric Car Challenge (using combined marketing budgets of the car dealerships and a push from government to build momentum). Gavin McIntyre, CEO of the Troy-based Ecovative Design spoke of the new paradigm in business development, “biomimicry,” tuning industrial processes toward the low temperatures and nontoxic feedstocks common in nature – and strengthened the international linkage by reporting that his youth-led start-up has primary funding from none other than the Dutch government.

For two days, the group exchanged views and sometimes struggled. Candid questions included “How do you deal with the taste of the water in New York, with all that chlorine?” and “How can you expect us to share our emotions so deeply – we’ve just met!” In spite of diverse expectations, the group was held together by a sense of possibility and an investment in creating something new and genuinely game-changing.

Three partnerships were created for ongoing work: in sustainable energy, water management, and materials/ design for industry (sometimes known as “cradle to cradle” product stewardship or “design for the environment). A conference next spring in Amsterdam will bring the partners together again. In the meantime, a practical design project is being quietly incubated for announcement later in the year. Sustainable Hudson Valley is organizing an online presence for the partnership as it grows. Right now, conference materials can be viewed at www.sustainhv.org. Inquiries, participation and support are welcome!

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL

USGBC/Booz Allen Hamilton Report Shows Green Construction to Contribute $554 Billion to U.S. GDP
Between 2009 and 2013

PHOENIX (Nov. 11, 2009) – Despite a challenging economic outlook, green building will support 7.9 million U.S. jobs and pump $554 billion into the American economy – including $396 billion in wages – over the next four years (2009-2013), according to a new study from the U.S. Green Building Council and Booz Allen Hamilton. The study also determined that green construction spending currently supports more than 2 million American jobs and generates more than $100 billion in gross domestic product and wages.The economic impact of the total green construction market from 2000 to 2008, the study found, contributed $178 billion to U.S. gross domestic product; created or saved 2.4 million direct, indirect and induced jobs; and generated $123 billion in wages. The study also assessed the U.S. Green Building Council’s 19,000-plus member organizations and found that they generate $2.6 trillion in annual revenue, employ approximately 14 million people, come from 29 industry sectors and include 46 Fortune 100 companies.

The study was released at the USGBC’s annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the industry’s largest gathering of representatives from all sectors of the green building movement. “Our goal is for the phrase ‘green building’ to become obsolete, by making all building and retrofits green – and transforming every job in our industry into a green job,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chairman of USGBC. “This study validates the work that the 25,000 people gathered here at Greenbuild, and every member of our movement, do every day.”

The study considered the total value of green buildings and the results include workers from the architects who design them to the construction laborers who pour their foundations to the truck drivers who deliver the materials, in recognition of the how extensive the impact of green building is. “The study demonstrates that investing in green buildings contributes significantly to our nation’s wealth while creating jobs in a range of occupations, from carpenters to cost estimators,” said Gary Rahl, Officer,
Global Government Market, Booz Allen Hamilton. “In many ways, green construction is becoming the standard for development. As a result, it is expected to it is expected to support nearly 8 million jobs over the next five years, a number four times higher than the previous five years.”

The full report can be downloaded at www.usgbc.org/greeneconomy, where one can also find other research, resources, tools and information about green building and its role in the economic recoveries of professionals, businesses and the nation. In support of the green building industry’s potential to drive tremendous job growth, USGBC has bolstered its commitment to education as a key component of its organizational mission toward a sustainable built environment.

A new course catalog at www.usgbc.org/courses helps green building professionals find educational resources and training that support their learning needs at any level – from novice to seasoned pro – and in a variety of learning formats, including live, in-person workshops, live or ondemand online courses and webinars, study materials and reference guides, and other resources. Learn more at www.usgbc.org/education.

Among the report’s findings:

The economic impact of the total green construction market:
• Contribution to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP)
o 2000-2008: $173 billion
o 2009-2013 forecast: $554 billion
• Jobs created or saved (includes direct, indirect and induced jobs)
o 2000-2008: 2.4 million
o 2009-2013 forecast: 7.9 million
• Wages
o 2000-2008: $123 billion
o 2009-2013 forecast: $396 billion
• Energy savings
o 2000-2008: $1.3 billion saved
o 2009-2013 forecast: $6 billion saved

The economic impact of LEED-specific spending*:
• Contribution to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP)
o 2000-2008: $830 million
o 2009-2013 forecast: $12.5 billion
• Jobs created or saved (includes direct, indirect and induced jobs)
o 2000-2008: 15,000
o 2009-2013 forecast: 230,000
• Wages
o 2000-2008: $703 million
o 2009-2013 forecast: $10.7 billion
• Energy savings
o 2000-2008: $281 million saved
o 2009-2013 forecast: $4.8 billion saved
*These figures only account for LEED-specific spending, not the value of LEED-certified buildings as a
whole.

USGBC’s role in the marketplace:
• The U.S. Green Building Council’s 19,000-plus member organizations generate $2.6 trillion in
annual revenue.
• USGBC members employ approximately 14 million people.
• USGBC members come from 29 industry sectors and include 46 Fortune 100 companies

• Posted by Theodore Eisenman on November 11, 2009 at 5:51pm
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